Quake-On-The-Lake Returns To Pontiac Lake July 19-21

WHITE LAKE TWP. (WWJ) – The 14th Annual Quake-On-The-Lake inboard hydroplane races will have the feel of a WWF Smack-Down with the best Grand Prix drivers from the northeast and northwest battling it out for their place in the record books.

These are the “Big Boats”– 12’ wide, built of carbon fiber and other lightweight composite materials and weigh-in at around 2,900 pounds. The engines are blown V-8’s based on big block Chevy design, which is supercharged and kicks out 1500 horsepower, burning straight Methanol.

It’s the Wild West with the Grand Prix’s; few limitations, beyond the 468 cubic inch engine displacement. From there, it’s “run and gun” for the drivers who can use the ingenuity they want to get a leg up on the competition.

“The Grand Prix’s are as exciting as boat racing gets,” Dale Hampshire, Quake chairman, said in a statement. “For those who love speed, power and ear shattering noise, this is a must-see event.”

Over the years, the east and west coast Grand Prix drivers have traded, back and forth, the world speed record. In 2011, Bert Henderson in the GP-77 “Steeler” broke the one mile Grand Prix closed-course record at 105.1 mph at Quake. Two months later, GPW’s Gregg Hopp, GP-15 “Happy Go Lucky” shattered the record at 108 mph at Lake Chelan, Washington.

This year, Marty Wolfe, the GP-”Desperado” from Chicago, whom currently holds the GP straight-away World Record of 175 mph will be putting his boat in the water at Pontiac Lake with an eye toward breaking the closed-course record.

Nearly 100 inboard hydroplane racing teams will provide their own thrills and chills and they try to conquer what is considered the fastest one mile course in America. Ten different inboard racing classes will be featured this year throwing off huge plumes of water as they take on Pontiac Lake at speeds ranging from 90 mph up to 150 mph. Over the past 13 years, 17 American Power Boat Association(APBA) World Speed Records have been set in five separate racing classes.

An exciting new feature for Quake this year will be the awarding of the Governor’s Cup, which will be presented to the overall high points winner of the weekend.

Event times for Quake-On-The-Lake are Friday, July 19 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, July 20 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, July 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults; $5 for kids 5-12; children 4 and under will be admitted free of charge.

Quake-On-The-Lake is located at the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area in White Lake/Waterford Townships, on Pontiac Lake at M-59(Highland Road) and Williams Lake Road at the end of the Oakland County International Airport runway.